Chef Carlisle leaving Umami Moto to open his own restaurant in Third Ward

Justin Carlisle, the executive chef at Umami Moto, is leaving the restaurant in mid-June to open his own place in the Third Ward.

The restaurant -- two in one, actually -- will be at 525 E. Menomonee St.

Carlisle, who has been a James Beard semi-finalist for his work in Milwaukee and Madison, is opening the new restaurant with Dan Frame, who was a manager at Umami Moto. It will have a casual, neighborhood component called Jefferson House, and a weekends-only tasting room called Ardent at Jefferson House.

Carlisle described the look for Jefferson House as "modern Up North," with wood and warm colors, and seating for around 45 guests. The idea is for it to be completely casual, where even someone in sweatpants and sandals wouldn't feel out of place, Carlisle said.

The food would be regional, he said, with vegetarian options as well as beef from his family's farm in Sparta. The opportunity to use his family's beef was a big reason in deciding to open his own restaurant, Carlisle said.

Prices might range from $5 to $22, with dishes organized by price rather than appetizers or entrees. "You can come in and get what you want whenever you want it," Carlisle said, without feeling obligation to get an entree, or appetizers before a beef dish, for example.

Ardent would have one seating, on Friday and Saturday nights only, with no more than 30 guests. Carlisle said he and one other chef would also present the dishes to the diners and be able to interact with them. "It's personal," Carlisle said.

That room would be modern and clean-lined; the plan is to incorporate living walls at the restaurant, where herbs and greens could be grown vertically.

Jefferson House is expected to open in late summer.

About Carol Deptolla

Carol Deptolla is the Journal Sentinel dining critic. She also reports on restaurants, bars and other food- and drink-related businesses.